Tag: Hoodoo

Let’s Talk Witch – Washes, Especially Those Used in Hoodoo

Spiritual people have used washes as a way of cleansing both the body and the soul for centuries. These spiritual washes can be used in the bath or shower and also to wash the house, home and floors.

Again the Hoodoo washes are all based on conjure oil ingredients. The herbs and roots are steeped in water and then sieved, although a simpler method, but possibly not so traditional, is to use oil blends and add a few drops to water to wash the floors or add them to the bath to become a personal spiritual bath.

Floor washes are used for all sorts of purposes – mopping the floor to bring in good fortune and luck or to wash away negative energies and evil in the main. They can also be used for love, protection and healing etc.

There is a process to follow: when you want to clean your house in the spiritual, removing negative energy sense (and actually as a by-product in the physical sense) you start from the top of the building and work your way down, also working from the back of the house to the front, finishing up on your front doorstep.

To bring positive energy and prosperity into your home you should make sure your front doorstep is scrubbed clean, working inwards towards the home.

For ritual bathing of your own body, it works best if you wash yourself upwards to bring good fortune and downwards to dispel negativity.

Herbal baths work very well, using the magical properties of specific herbs to bring about the intent that you require. A lot of Hoodoo herbal bath mixes use magical numbers of herbs such as seven, nine or 13 different ingredients.

Any water that has been used for spiritual cleansing should be disposed of by throwing it away to the East, preferably before the sun rises. You don’t have to lug bucketfuls of your used bathwater all the way outside to do this, you can use a small amount as a token.

HOODOO? You Do!

A good number of hexes and curses and spells of that sort come from a popular magickal system called Hoodoo. This is in no way, shape, or form a religious system–it’s magick, plain and simple–and its origin is attributed to derivation of the magickal practices of the Afro-Caribbean people who were once enslaved in the United States.

One of the reason for the popularity of this system is that nothing is hard and fast. Ingredients are easy to find, and substitutions can be made with ease. That’s because, unlike most other magickal systems, precisely how hoodoo is practiced varies greatly according to specific agricultural region and available resources. This means that although there may be a few common threads, you’re not likely to find the same sort of practices in Louisiana as you would in South Carolina. In Georgia as you would in Texas, and so on. And this probably has to do with the fact that the enslaved were literally scattered all across the country and simply used what was handy to work their magick. As a result, hoodoo truly is folk magick at its best.

Before we get too far, though, there’s something that I’d like to make clear. Hoodoo magick is not necessarily dark. It’s just more honest than most other types of practice, and so are the folks who practice it. If they’re going to throw down with a hex, they don’t bother to disguise it with some other sort of magick. They just do it, make no bones about it and go on about their business.

With that out of the way, magickal efforts within the system aren’t called spells. They’re called tricks, a classification that’s steeped in honesty too. A spell, after all, is manipulation of the Elements to get what you want. And stripped right down to the bare bones, which exactly is manipulation? Simply put, it’s tricking someone–or something–into doing your bidding.

The other difference between hoodoo and other systems is that magickal efforts aren’t charged. But lest you get the wrong idea, that doesn’t mean that tons of energy isn’t placed within their folds. Nothing could be further from the truth. Because tricks usually take the form of packets or parcels–their contents are usually wrapped up in something or contained in a bag–they are “laid.” This means that once completed, the parcels are placed somewhere out of view. And whether laid in the ground, under a porch or in the water, that’s what completes their magick.

As an aside, it’s interesting to note that tricks are seldom as easily broken as spells. It’s not the magick involved is any stronger. It’s that breaking a trick involves locating the parcel, dismantling it and destroying the contents. This presents a whole new set of problems: Finding the hiding place and finding the trick, both of which can be a real effort in futility. But even if you manage to find both, that still may not be enough to uncross the victim. Depending upon method of disposal and mediums used for contents and wrapping, a goood portion of the trick may have rotted away or dissolved. The tiny fragment you’ve got left many not be able to handle the job–at least, not with any measure of success. And this is probably how hoodoo got its current reputation: That of absolute power and darkness.

“The Strange Case of St. Expedite”

By Denise Dumars

Hoodoo, Vodou, Santeria practitioners call on St. Expedite when something absolutely, positively, has to get done overnight. He is sought out specifically for particular financial needs – the more specific, the better. For example, one college student needed a certain amount of money over and above what his initial financial aid award. He asked St. Expedite for the extra money, and the next time he went to financial aid office, he learned that the award had been amended to include the exact dollar amount he needed. He credits St. Expedite.

St. Expedite also, yes, expedites results that are moving too slowly. It gets very interesting here, for now our special delivery saint aids not just traditional adherents, but also those who work in contract jobs, freelancers, and anyone else who gets paid after they do the work, rather than getting a regular salary. One freelancer reports that a company was very slow in paying her for a project she complete, so she taped a Saint Expedite card to her computer monitor and the money suddenly came through. There are self-described “computer geeks” who now count St. Expedite as their patron saint!

To ask St. Expedite for help, place his image, a glass of water, and a red candle on your altar, bureau or computer workstation. Say the prayer on the back of the prayer card (or one of many found online), then ask him specifically for what you need. The best time to do this is on Wednesday, the day of Mercury the messenger – in Hoodoo and Vodou, St. Expedite is associated with Papa Legba, Baron Samedi, Ellegua, and other “messenger” spirits. Light the candle every day until your wish is granted.

After he grants your wish, offer him flowers, a glass of water, and a slice of pound cake. According to Ray Malbrough, believers leave nine quarters by his statue at “the Voodoo church” with their offerings. New Orleans tradition has it that he prefers Sara Lee pound cake. How anyone figured that out is unclear. Here are two prayers to St. Expedite from St. Expedite.com; one is clearly in the Christian tradition, and the other is more ecumenical:

When in Urgent Need: Pray to Saint Expedite

Our dear martyr and protector, Saint Expedite,

You who know what is necessary and what is urgently needed.

I beg you to intercede before the Holy Trinity, that by your grace my request will be granted.

_______________(Clearly express what you want, and ask him to find a way to get it to you.)

May I receive your blessings and favors.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

For Quick Help: Pray to Saint Expedite

Saint Expedite, you lay in rest.

I come to you and ask that this wish be granted.

____________________(Clearly express what you want, and ask him to find a way to get it to you.)

Expedite now what I ask of you.

Expedite now what I want of you, this very second.

Don’t waste another day.

Grant me what I ask for.

I know your power, I know you because of your work.

I know you can help me.

Do this for me and I will spread your name with love and honor

So that it will be invoked again and again.

Expedite this wish with speed, love, honor and goodness.

Glory to you, Saint Expedite!

In addition, there are many videos on YouTube about St. Expedite, many of them made for the express purpose of thanking him for his help. His reach across religions is evident as the videos were created by followers of numerous belief systems from numerous countries: Wiccans from the United States and Candomble followers from Brazil among them.

A statue of St. Expedite figures prominently in the film Skeleton Key, a fine supernatural thriller set in Louisiana that depicts some of the most authentic Hoodoo I’ve seen on film, but he is never named in the film or even referred to ….he’s just there for those in the know to recognize!

It’s been more than twenty years since that Santera told me about St. Expedite and I’m happy that in 2009 I actually got to see his niche in “the Voodoo church.” I’m taping his prayer card to my computer monitor right now.

Which Dirt Is Which Dirt – Or – Do I Really Need To Use Graveyard Dirt?

With so much about graveyard dirt, most us assume that nothing else will do in our Voodoo, Hoodoo, curses or hexes. But that is not the truth. There are lots of places where you can gather dirt: places that are easy to access and depending on your intention, may even suit your needs better.

To collect your ordinary dirt, begin by looking around your surroundings, check to see what is normal around you. If you are in town, around the City Hall, you will find people walking, sitting, eating lunch, and just basically wondering around. All you have to do is blend in with them. You can sit down on the ground, pick up a stick and proceed to scratch and dig up some Earth. Or you can pretend you dropped something on the ground, if you are carrying a pencil, use it to scratch up some dirt. You can get your dirt quickly and no one will be the wiser.

Below you will find a few location where you can collect dirt. Also included is what you can use the dirt for after you collected it at these locations:

Bank: Collect and use this dirt to bring money into your hands or to receive payment of a long overdue debt.

Church: This dirt is wonderful when used to invite the assistance of positive spiritual forces. It also goes a long way toward protecting against the intrusion of evil spirits.

The Courthouse: Use this dirt for anything even remotely involving legal matters. This could include contracts, court cases, general justice, and even money that’s owed to you. If your intent would benefit from the discerning eye of the Law, this is the dirt for you.

School, College, etc.: Whether it comes from a school yard or a college campus, this dirt is fantastic for efforts involving knowledge acquisition and retention. It can also be used effectively in magick to help you study.

Your Enemy’s Home: Gathering this dirt might take great skill on your part and involve some sneaking around to collect it. There is no better way to cut your enemy off at the knees than to use dirt from his own home against him. Be very careful, you could cause possible harm to everyone living there. So you have to be extremely careful in wording your spell. Be specific as to who your enemy is.

Your Home: Collect this dirt to protect everyone in your home and also provide a safe return for them. To protect your family members, sprinkle dirt in their shoes (every pair they own). Now if you really like someone to return to your home and visit you again, sprinkle dirt in their shoes too.

Hospital, Clinic, Doctor’s Office, Anywhere Medical: Gathering dirt from any of these places for your efforts that involve healing. Keep in mind, no magick in the world should be substituted for good medical care or medicine. Also be certain that healing is what you have in mind when you add dirt to magick especially if it is a serious illness or possibility death. You are probably scratching your head over this one. But healing and staying alive are two different things entirely. If a person is in severe pain and you know deep down in your heart there is no chance for recovery, then death is often the best way to heal that person.

Garden or Flower Shop: This dirt is often used in Love spells. It does make love sprout and grow. But if you are serious and perhaps your magick would interfere with a person’s free will, then don’t add this dirt to your magick.

Shopping Malls: As you can imagine a shopping mall has an excellent reputation for attracting huge sums of money. For this very reason, obtain this dirt and use it well when seeking employment or increasing your cash flow.

Police Station: Dirt from this area is collected and sprinkled along the baseboards of the home and along the edges of its structure to keep the family safe from harm. It’s not a good idea to use this dirt if you’re involved in any sort of illegal dealings, because you will probably be bringing the police to your very door.

Workplace: There are lots of uses for this sort of dirt. It works well when included in an effort for getting a promotion or raise. But that’s not all. It can also be used to foil a co-workers or getting the dirt on the company, no pun intended!

High John the Conqueror

Latin Name: Ipomoea jalapaCommon Names: John the Conqueror, Bindweed, Jalap RootGender: MasculinePlanet: MarsElement: FireFolklore: John the Conqueror is spoken of often in African American folklore and is frequently considered to be quite magically potent, particularly among Hoodoo traditions.

It has been written of and referenced for these purposes by numerous famous Blues singers including Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, and Bo Diddley, making it quite the iconic among that community and culture.Magickal Uses: Essential ingredient in mojo bags, Good Luck, Strength, Overcome Obstacles, Powerful Protection against Negative Energy and Curses, Sex Magick, Attraction.

One of the best things about the Earth Witch is her ability to remain silent. She understand that sometimes it is best to say nothing rather than risk saying it wrong. She is very careful about what she says. Because she is not argumentative by nature, when the Earth Witch speaks her words hold weight. She also tends to be critical of others, even though she may not say it out loud. Too often, the Earth Witch represses her feelings and as a result may need to purge more often than those who follow other elemental paths. But since she holds earth so close to her, she is adept at purging anywhere and anytime.

Cautious and wary, the Earth Witch rarely takes unnecessary chances. Level-headed to the end, she helps others find suitable solutions to their problems. Her approach to life is slow and steady. She is conservative, patient, and practical.

The Earth Witch can most often be found working a job in which she can directly improve the world around her, or a job that may seem boring but is traditionally necessary within the boundaries of society. Social work, teaching, architecture, and banking are natural choices for the Earth Witch.

On the flip side, the gentle Earth Witch is not one you want to anger. She is capable of utter destruction, which she views as a natural part of the cycle of life. Rarely will she look back with regret. She may take a while before deciding that she is angry and will give you every chance to explain yourself. But once angered, she can be stubborn and hold a grudge. Because she will give you every chance in the beginning, if she decides that she doesn’t like you–well, you earned it. Most people only get to cross that line once with an Earth Witch. However, she is eternally forgiving toward those she loves and trusts.

Because the Earth Witch is so rooted in the home, she must be careful not to shut herself away from others entirely. However, she is rarely shy and can often be found at social gatherings.

The Earth Witch may have a talent for sculpting, even if she doesn’t know it yet. When holding chunks of clay in her hands, she can create some beautiful statuary.

The Earth Witch is a teacher and strives to set a good example for her students, children and friends. She practices what she preaches and believes that actions speaks louder than words. For thousands of years, the bones of the Earth (rocks) have been utilized as teaching implements. Pictographs (painted-on symbols) and petroglyphs (carved symbols) date back to the ancient Egyptians. Almost every culture has its own version of rock teachings.Earth rules the season of spring. During the spring, the Earth and the Earth Witch come roaring back to life. As the flowers bloom, the grass grows, and the animals wake from their slumber, the Earth Witch becomes one with all of nature. She is directly influenced by the increasing life energy of all things. Her personal power is at its highest point during this season.

One of the most prevalent aspects of the path of the Earth Witch is sharing. Mother Earth shares all of herself with the other elements. She allows herself to be the foundation for all of life. She is battered by storms and ravaged by fire, but she remains unchanged yet ever evolving. The Earth Witch holds herself close to the archetype. She struggles to remain calm and steady during all of life’s storms. She has a unique talent for being able to keep her cool. She also has the minor quirk of being slow to movement. The Earth Witch knows that she has all the time in the world–she is not the sort to jump around and do things right away. “All in good time” is her motto. However, she must be extremely careful with this aspect of her personality, as it can cause her to stagnate and stop her growth. As a rule, the Earth Witch resists change.

When it comes to divination practices, the Earth Witch can read better by scrying into water or fire than by using the divination systems that fall under the rule of earth. This is because her role as the base for the other elements. The Earth as a whole contains water and fire and serves as a foundation for air. There is much more to the Earth than dirt and plant life.

Humanity belongs to the realm of earth. Any type of folk magic that utilizes footprints, hair or nail clippings, etc., is an Earth Witch’s specialty.

The Earth Witch is puzzle of Hoodoo, Voodoo, Native American beliefs, shamanistic behaviors. Wiccan ethics (or the Golden Rule), and/or ancestral lore. Yet she is a puzzle in which all of the pieces fall in place to create a beautiful picture.

The term “earth magick” is somewhat of a misnomer. Many of the magical techniques presented here do not utilize actual earth (dirt, etc.): however, they are typically considered to be earth specialties. Business, protection, prosperity and fertility all fall in this category.

Earth magick utilizes two main techniques: burying and transporting. We transport basically anytime we use earth in a spell that does not include the burial of the item or take place directly upon the soil. For example, if a love one tracked muddy foot prints into my home and I swept them up and saved the dirt for later use in a healing spell, this would be considered transporting.

You may bury things in the earth for the purpose of cleansing an item of negative vibrations, ridding yourself of an item (banishing), planting seeds for future growth of crops or blessing an item.

You may transport the element of earth by placing soil in a charm bag or in your home, using a mud mask, or even growing houseplants. Many magical practitioners make use of dirt by piling it on their altar and burning candles in the pile. As dirt is sacred, it is fine to do this. Although traditions vary, and many practitioners prefer to keep their altar surface spotlessly clean, the Earth Witch uses the power of dirt.

It doesn’t matter which of the techniques you use—burying and transporting both hold the full power of earth, even when the soil is used in small amounts.

Various kinds of dirt are said to perform specific functions in many magical practices. According to Hoodoo and Voodoo traditions, grave-yard dirt is thought to hold within it the vibrations of the departed soul. The ritual collection of graveyard dirt includes getting in touch with the spirit of the body in the grave and leaving a payment for the dirt (usually a coin on the gravestone). For instance, if your intention was to use the dirt to cause harm, you would find a grave that held a murder victim or some other tragic soul and use the dirt from it. Also incorporated into the ritual collection of graveyard dirt is the time of day in which the dirt is collects and the corresponding area of the body in the grave. In other words, for a love spell, you would take dirt from the are where the heart of the body lies.

Dirt from a crossroads is considered sacred in almost all magical traditions. It is believed to be loaded with supernatural powers. It is used for protection, blessings, banishing, domination–virtually any purpose. It is thought to be neutral, so one has only to direct it according to one’s wishes.

Santeria incorporates the magical qualities of dirt in the following ways:

Bank dirt: Dirt from the area around a bank is thought to hold prosperity within it.

Courthouse dirt: Dirt from the area around a courthouse is used to gain victory in legal disputes.

Dirt from the bottom of a person’s shoes: This dirt is said to allow one to dominate or cause harm to the owner of the shoes.

Dirt from the four corners: This mixture of dirt is thought to open the road to success. This particular dirt is considered a four-way crossroads.

Forest dirt: Forest dirt is considered protective.

Library dirt: Dirt from the area around a library is used in spells to increase one’s knowledge and wisdom.

Mountain dirt: Dirt from a mountain is used in cleansing practices.

Racetrack dirt: This dirt is used in gambling spells to increase luck.

Mojos are small bags containing an odd number of symbols (one to thirteen) associated with particular energies. Protective mojos are good if you live in a high-crime or lonely area, or you have a difficult ex-partner who seeks constant access to your home.

Items You Will Need:

A small drawstring bag of red flannel (the traditional mojo fabric) or brown material ( suitable for domestic protection); a piece of angelica root or some dried angelica (available from herbal stores); some salt and pepper; waxed paper (the kind used in cake making); some patchouli oil or brandy.

Timing.

After dark.

The Spell:

Place the angelica root directly into the bag or twist some dried angelica in a piece of waxed paper and put it in.

Twist some salt in a piece of waxed paper and add it to the bag.

Twist some pepper in a piece of waxed paper and add it to the bag.

Add a few drops of the patchouli oil or brandy to the bag.

Draw the string tight and say: “May protection last till one (or two) moons are pasted.”

Keep the bag somewhere near the front door, out of sight. (Mojos lose their power if seen.)